Everything Bergen County parents and new drivers ask about permits, the 6-hour rule, practice hours, and the Lodi road test.
The driving age in New Jersey is 17. A probationary license is available at 17 once the Graduated Driver License (GDL) steps are complete. A 16-year-old can start supervised driving early — the "early-bird route" — by finishing a 6-hour behind-the-wheel course with a certified school first.
Yes — it's a legal requirement. A 16-year-old must complete 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a state-certified driving school to get a validated learner's permit under the GDL program. A parent cannot provide these hours; they must come from a certified school.
No. Drivers 17 and older are not required to take a driver-education course and can apply for an examination permit directly at the MVC. Many still book lessons to prepare for the road test and build confidence.
50 hours of supervised practice, including at least 10 hours after dark. New Jersey added this requirement to make sure new drivers log meaningful time behind the wheel before testing.
Permit and probationary drivers must display two red decals on the plates of any car they drive. They also cannot drive between 11:01 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., are limited on the number of passengers, and cannot use any phone or device — including hands-free.
Most take it at the Lodi MVC, 8 Mill Street, Lodi. The road test can be scheduled on or after the driver's 17th birthday. We train on the actual Lodi route so test day feels familiar.
6-point ID, a Social Security card, and a signed driving-school contract. Acceptable ID includes an original birth certificate or a US passport. MVC fees apply and we confirm the current amounts when you enroll.
It depends on the program. The required 6-hour teen course is sold as a package, while adult lessons and road-test prep are usually priced per hour or per session. Call us for current pricing for your situation.
You can retake it after a short waiting period set by the MVC. The most common reasons for failing are parallel parking and observation habits — both things we drill in road-test prep to raise your odds of passing the first time.